Watch out for these product labels. They sound similar, but they mean different things. Most people confuse them
“No sugar” and “no added sugar”. These two phrases sound quite similar. Many people consider them synonyms. This is a mistake. Check what exactly they mean and why you should not put an equal sign between them.
“No sugar” and “no added sugar”. These expressions appear on various types of food products, for example yogurts, homogenized cheeses and various sweet and salty snacks. They are intended to make it easier for consumers to recognize healthier and lower-calorie products. However, there is a fundamental difference between the above statements, which not everyone is aware of.
No sugar and no added sugar – what do these expressions mean?
Groceries “without sugar“do not contain white sugar, also known as table sugar. They also do not contain any products that are a source of this ingredient, for example honey, fruit or fruit syrups. However, they contain various types of sweeteners, such as erythritol or xylitol. It is worth emphasizing that these types of substances have much fewer calories than traditional white sugar and are characterized by a low glycemic index (GI). Therefore, they do not cause sudden fluctuations in blood glucose levels. They are recommended for people on a reducing diet who want to lose extra weight, as well as for patients with diabetes and insulin resistance.
However, groceriesno added sugar“do not contain any additional simple sugar or disaccharide (fructose, sucrose, glucose). However, they may contain fruit, fruit juices or other products that provide natural sweetness (raisins, dried apricots, dates, etc.). Therefore, people who are overweight or have metabolic disorders should be careful with them. The slogan “no added sugar” does not mean that there are no sugars in a given food product. However, they come from a natural source. They were not artificially produced.
What are the dangers of consuming excessive amounts of sugar?
Consuming large amounts of sugar may lead to a deficiency of other nutrients, as indicated by the National Center for Nutrition Education. In addition, it increases the risk of various health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Experts recommend that only 10 percent of total energy supplied to the body came from the digestion of sugars. It is best to limit their consumption to a minimum and eliminate sweets and salty, highly processed snacks from the menu.
